FAA raises altitude limit for commercial drones

Certain small commercial drones will be permitted to fly up to 400 feet under a new policy announced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Tuesday. The new policy doubles the authorized altitude from 200 feet, except in restricted airspace and other areas where operation may be prohibited. The regulation applies to commercial and governmental unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operators with a Section 333 exemption and an aircraft that weighs less than 55 pounds. Pilots still need to register their drones and have the proper certification, as well as operate under daytime visual flight rules and keep the aircraft within their line of sight, the agency said. The FAA estimates that the move could reduce the workload for the Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) applications and even reduce the need for individual COAs by about 30 to 40 percent. “This is another milestone in our effort to change the traditional speed of government,” said Michael Huerta, FAA administrator, in a statement. “Expanding the authorized airspace for these operations means government and industry can carry out unmanned aircraft missions more quickly and with less red tape.” Groups supporting the use of […]